Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-27

While this volume is one of the series of
Bancroft's works, and forms part of The
History Of the Pacific States, it is really
an independent work and can stand upon
It's merits as book full of dramatic not
to say romantic, interest For it is devoted
wholly to recital of the activities of those
stirring times in the pioneer history of the
Pacific coast, in which the instinct of
Justice IN man found expression and illus
tration in the rudest forms, and the
most violent methods of administering
it, as well as history of
alterations of justice, the abuse
Of power, the passion of the mob
the rigor and "reminiscences of the vigilance
committees, and the hasty Justice and in
Justice Of Lynch law. The popular tri-
bunals .oi the country were the pivotal
points Of some of the most dramatic events
IN all the history of our civilization, and
these, IN ample detail, Mr.. Bancroft has
laid before his readers in a manner that at
once arouses interest and holds it, and
makes the story as enhancing as that con-
ceived by the imagination of the skilled
novelist Here is matter for drama,
romance and song, that surpasses in in
N4AAfA1t Vi put NlSOl vi dElOu, tragic
result, low comedy quality, and farcical
procedure and outcome, anything human
fancy has ever clothed in fiction Upon
the subject of the reason for the volume
and the source of his information, the au-
thor says:
During my researches in Pacific States
history, and particularly while tracing the
development of Anglo-American com
munities in the western side of the United
ato 7 sa1 I'll
healthier proportions under the influence
of purer atmosphere, that sometime dis.
solute principle OF political ethics, the right
OF the governed at all times to instant and
arbitrary control of the government. The
right thus claimed was not to be exercised
except in cases of emergency, in cases
where such interferences should be deemed
necessary, but II was always existent; and
as the people themselves were to determine
what should constitute emergency and
what necessity, these qualifications were
impairment Though liable at times to
the grossest abuse, | found this sent-
ment latent among widely spread
and intelligent people, but in a form so
anomalous that few would admit to them
selves Its presence among their convictions.
Finding on these Pacific shores,
IN degree superior to any elsewhere ap-
pearing in the annals OF the race, this phase
OF arbitrary power as displayed by the many
popular tribunals here engendered
pressed inquiry in that direction, and these
volumes are the result. 1t is all history;
and though herein | sometimes indulge in
details which might swell unduly exact
historical narration, | have felt constrained
to omit more facts and illustrations that
have given. These omissions however
are not made at random, or to the injury of
the work. And the material was abundant.
Besides printed books, manuscripts, and the
several journals of the period advocating
the opposite sides of the question,
[ was fortunate enough to secure all the
archieyes of the San Francisco Committee
OF Vigilance of 1851, and to obtain free ac-
cess to the voluminous records and docu-
ments of the great Committee of 1856.
Well knowing that the hidden work of the
several demonstrations could only be OBJ
tanned from the mouths of their executive
officers, ! took copious dictations from
those who had played the most prominent
parts in the tragedies. From one member
learned what occurred on given occasion
at the point where he happened to be; from
another, what was taking place at the same
time at another point of observation and
so on, gathering from each something the
others did not know or remember. By
putting all together l was enabled
to complete the picture of what
htIt WISE u COuBlOmeTdIlOn OF
figures and events. At first
found the gentlemen of 1856 exceedingly
backward in divulging secrets so long held
sacred and it was only after | had given
them the most convincing assurances of
the strength and purity of my purpose that
[ obtained their united consent to place me
IN possession of their whole knowledge of
the matter. Often had they been applied
to for such information, and as often had
rlaYal
good reasons They had offended the law
they had done violence to many who
still cherished hatred they had suf-
tered from annoying and expensive
suits at law brought against them bv
the expatriated they had disbanded
but had not disorganized, and they did
not know at what moment they might
again be summoned to rise in defense of
society, or to band for mutual protection.
From the beginning it was held by each a
paramount obligation TO divulge nothing
On the other hand, the questions arose:
Are these secrets to die with YOU? Nav
not the knowledge of your experience be
of value 10 succeeding societies? Have YOU
the right TO bury in oblivion that expert
ence, TO withhold from your fellow citizens
and from poSterity a knowledge of the
ways by which you achieved so grand a
success And so after many meetings
=
the information should be placed at my
disposal for the purpose of publication"
To give some idea of the dramatic scope
of this unique volume, few of the sub
iects treated, and stories recited NAV be
probably given. Thus the volumne opens
with q glance at alterations of Justice
ancient and modern, followed by consid-
Grafton of popular tribunals and popular
government, a chapter on the conditions
that encendered the storm that burst in
1851, and again in 1856 in California follows.
We have, in order, an exhaustive account
of The Hounds " Association, the San
Francisco Regulators, the mob in the
mines, the antics of justice in the country,
the organization of the Vigilance Commit
tee of 1851, and are taken behind the
scenes in the rooms of that body; the en-
try and exit of James Stuart, the inquisitors
IN council, country vigilance committees
the Downieville tragedy, the popular
tribunals of Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Mon
lana, Arizona and New Mexico, and of
Washington Territory, Alaska, British
Columbia and Oregon. In these and other
chapters of like character are tales. anec-
dotes, melodramatic recitals and romantic
narratives, that make the work one of
strange interest and comparable to no other.
Mr.. Bancroft makes no concealment of his
sympathy with Vigilance Committees-in-
deed, he defends it vigorously. The style
of the writing in this volume is in strong
contrast to that in its predecessors. There
is about it that which detracts from its dig
nifty as historical record. While its &C
curacy is probably unimpeachable, the form
OF expression degenerates very often TO that
OF the sensational novelist There are
'toplofdoAl' passages that do no credit to
the author, and attempts at humor that are
grim, 10 say the least. The subject we
admit, is one that affords but limited scope
for fine writing, but such passage as this
IS hardly in keeping with the high charac-
ter Mr.. Bancroft has given the text of his
earlier volumes:
Talking thus against time. as was his
purpose Coftroth won. Presently the
Sheriff appeared. Solomon was his name.
and very good name and good Sheriff.
Judging from outward expression and car
rage. he, toe, would delight in seeing the
Austrian hanged. Solomon's vocation was
hanging: for such he had been created.
Then opened Solomon his mouth
wide he opened it; it was large, and by no
means handsome"
We submit that such a style as this be-
longs TO the literary realm conceded exclu-
sively TO the WdgeTly Magazine, the Nea4
York LEDGER and Beddie's Dime Librq,7,